Salem Township in Leetonia in Columbiana County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Cherry Valley Coke Ovens
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, July 7, 2013
1. Cherry Valley Coke Ovens Marker
Believed to have been constructed in 1866, this facility is one of the largest of its kind in the nation. The complex of 200 ovens was erected by the Leetonia Iron and Coal Company, later known as the Cherry Valley Iron Works, to supply fuel for pig-iron producing blast furnaces that stood south of this site.
The man-made "beehive" ovens were used to transform hard coal into coke. The "coking" process burnt impurities out of the coal. The end product -- coke -- was the best fuel source for the furnaces that were used to manufacture iron and steel. The facility discontinued operations in the early 1930s at the height of the Great Depression.
Erected 1999 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Village of Leetonia, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 13-22.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 40° 53.151′ N, 80° 45.351′ W. Marker is in Leetonia, Ohio, in Columbiana County. It is in Salem Township. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Thank You (approx. ¼ mile away); American Legion Post No. 131 Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Vice Admiral Anthony (Tony) A. Less, U.S. Navy (Retired) (approx. 0.3 miles away); Grace Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Log House Museum (approx. 3.3 miles away); Firestone Homestead 1828 (approx. 3.3 miles away); Old Town Hall Fire Bell (approx. 3.3 miles away); Harvey S. Firestone (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leetonia.
Additional commentary.
1. Unconventional Numbering
This marker was inadvertently given a non-Columbiana County number, 13-22, from Remarkable Ohio.
— Submitted September 1, 2021, by Robert Baughman of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, July 7, 2013
2. Cherry Valley Coke Ovens Marker
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, July 7, 2013
3. Cherry Valley Coke Ovens
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, July 7, 2013
4. Cherry Valley Coke Ovens
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, July 7, 2013
5. Cherry Valley Coke Ovens
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,258 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on April 28, 2023, by Robert Baughman of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 7, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
